John Brassil’s Early Concession that His Seat is in Danger

Dermot McGuckin, Fossa with retired Sinn Féin TD, Martin Ferris at the Kerry constituency count at Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre on Sunday morning. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Sean McCarthy, Castleisland (left) and Tim Coffey, Fossa keeping an eye on the fortunes of their candidates at the Kerry constituency count at Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre on Sunday morning. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Cllr. Bobby O’Connell watching the count for his party colleagues, Brendan Griffin TD and Cllr Mikey Kennelly at the Kerry constituency count at Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre on Sunday morning. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Michael Healy Rae TD checking the figures with his sister, Rosemary at the Kerry constituency count at Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre on Sunday morning. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Early scene setting at the Kerry constituency count at Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre on Sunday morning. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Amber Galwey, Radio Kerry and Jackie MacGearailt, Radio Na Gaeiltachta at the Kerry constituency count at Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre on Sunday morning. ©Photograph: John Reidy

The media of the country focused on Kerry at the Kerry constituency count at Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre on Sunday morning. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Tally – Ho: The boxes are opened and the tally people get down to work in one of the most anticipated general elections in years at the Kerry constituency count at Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre on Sunday morning. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Like many other centres around the country today, ballot boxes were opened at the Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre at the promised 9am this morning.

Immediately, the figure starved, ravenous tally men and women leaned over the barriers and called out what they were seeing as the ballots were exposed before them.

Kerry Playing Its Part

It is clear from the news around the country that this will be an historic election and Kerry will certainly play its part in the movement.

According to the tally people the both Healy Raes, Danny and Michael are doing very well with Brendan Griffin, TD and Sinn Féin Cllr. Pa Daly also polling solidly.

Brassil Worried

Remarkably, as early tallies harden into figures and vote accumulations, the outgoing TD John Brassil conceded on RTÉ Radio One that he could be the collateral damage in the Fianna Fáil strategy in the constituency as his party colleague Cllr. Norma Foley was 500 votes clear of him by mid morning.

Sunday Feeling Like Saturday

Across all political divides today, there is agreement that this is going to be an interesting and fascinating day.

On a Sunday morning that has the most definite feel of a Saturday there is a long day there yet and, veterans of these kind of days are suggesting it won’t be all over today either.

And, apart from the predicted success of Sinn Féin, there is little solid ground for those who like to forecast the outcome of these most unpredictable of days.